Federal Jury Convicts Man of Eight Las Vegas Robberies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2008

Las Vegas, Nev. – A man who committed eight robberies in Las Vegas during a six-day crime spree in March, has been convicted of federal bank robbery and firearm charges, announced Greg Brower, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

Following a three-day trial, the jury found Enrique Hurtado, 34, of Las Vegas, guilty on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, of one count of Armed Bank Robbery, one count of Bank Robbery, two counts of Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, one count of Interference With Commerce by Armed Robbery, four counts of Interference With Commerce by Robbery, and one count of Interference With Commerce by Attempted Robbery. During trial, Hurtado also pled guilty to one count of Deported Alien Found Unlawfully in the United States, as he had been deported and removed from the United States on about January 4, 2007, and July 9, 2007.

"The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to the prosecution of individuals who commit violent crime in our communities," said U.S. Attorney Brower. "This verdict should send a clear message that using a gun to commit a crime is a ticket to federal prison. We will continue to work with local law enforcement on violent crime investigations and we will prosecute those cases which can be most effectively adjudicated in the federal system."

It was proven to the jury that Hurtado committed the following crimes:

On March 12, 2008, Hurtado used a firearm to rob the Bank of America at 410 E. Silverado Ranch in Las Vegas;

On March 15, 2008, Hurtado used a gun to rob the cage cashier at the Opera House Casino, at 2542 Las Vegas Boulevard in North Las Vegas. During the robbery, Hurtado fired the gun at the cage cashier when the cashier attempted to flee to another room. The bullet missed the cashier and struck a filing cabinet;

On March 16, 2008, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Hurtado used force, violence, and fear to rob the cashiers at the CVS Pharmacy at 5681 Boulder Highway in Las Vegas. Hurtado demanded money from the cash register and safe;

On March 16, 2008, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Hurtado used force, violence, and fear to rob the cashiers at the 7-11 store at 4581 East Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas. Hurtado demanded money from the cash register, indicated that he had a gun, and threatened to shoot patrons if they tried to leave the store;

On March 17, 2008, at approximately 4:13 a.m., Hurtado used force, violence and fear to rob the cashier at the Sinclair Gas Station at 4171 Boulder Highway in Las Vegas. Hurtado threatened to "shank" the cashier if she did not comply with his demands;

On March 17, 2008, at approximately 7:52 a.m., Hurtado used force, violence, and fear to rob the cashiers at the EZ Stop gas station at 3414 E. Sahara Avenue, in Las Vegas. Hurtado threatened the cashiers by displaying brass knuckles which he was wearing on his hand in a threatening manner;

On March 17, 2008, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Hurtado attempted to rob the cashier at the 7-11 store at 225 N. Lamb Boulevard in Las Vegas using force, violence, and fear. Hurtado demanded money from the cash register, displayed brass knuckles that he was wearing in a threatening manner, and struck the cashier in the head with his fist;

On March 17, 2008, at approximately 10:34 a.m., Hurtado used force, violence and intimidation to rob the Nevada Federal Credit Union at 1264 S. Nellis Boulevard in Las Vegas. Following this robbery, Hurtado fled the scene in a white Cadillac and led law enforcement officers on a high speed pursuit, which ended with Hurtado crashing the vehicle. Hurtado was arrested and transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the vehicle crash;

Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Kent J. Dawson. Hurtado faces up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the armed bank robbery charge; up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each interference with commerce by robbery charge; up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the bank robbery charge; a minimum of seven years in prison, to run consecutively with any other charges, on the first use of a firearm charge; a minimum of 25 years in prison, to run consecutively with any other charges, on the second use of a firearm charge; and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the immigration charge.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department, and was prosecuted by United States Attorney Greg Brower and Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Crane.